to convert the whole ocean into a sheet of liquid gold.
She thus discovered that the ship was steering an easterly course, from
which she concluded that she was still on her voyage to Cephalonia.

Two more days passed away, and served to restore to Ada Garden her
strength both of mind and body, though the uncertainty of the past and
present, and painful anticipations for the future, much retarded her
complete recovery.

In vain she questioned Marianna. Her lively attendant knew but little--
and even that, she had been taught, it would be beneficial to her
mistress to conceal. The young Italian had once entered the cabin while
she was awake, and had felt her pulse, in order to be better able to
prescribe for her, but had remained not a moment longer than was
absolutely necessary in her presence. She resolved, however, the next
time he came to detain and question him; for the description given of
him by Marianna, already made her place confidence in him. She had not
long to wait for an opportunity; for that evening, just before sunset,
his knock was heard at the cabin doors, and with the usual caution he
entered.

"How is your mistress?" he asked of Marianna. "Does she feel stronger?"

"She is awake to answer for herself," returned the Maltese girl, "and
will gladly speak to you."

The young man started--he had so generally found her unconscious, that
he seemed not to have expected to find her able to question him. He,
however, crossed the cabin and stood with his arms folded, leaning
against the bulkhead, where she could not observe his countenance. Ada
was the first to speak.

"I am glad you have come, signor," she said, in a low tone; "for I am
anxious to express my gratitude to you for the attention with which, as
my maid tells me, you have treated me during my illness, and to which I
feel sensible I am much indebted for my recovery."

"Lady, I have but performed the duty in obedience to the order of
another," he replied, in a tone so calm that it sounded almost cold to
her ear. "I found you suffering, and I have employed what knowledge I
possess of the healing art to restore you to health. I rejoice to find
that my efforts have not been totally unavailing."

"To you, at all events, my gratitude is due," returned Ada. "And I
would lay myself under a still further obligation, by asking you to tell
me what ship I am on board, how I came here, and to where I am being
conveyed?"

The Italian hesitated